Base construction



Oct. 9, 1945. R. E. GARDINER 2,336,306

' I BASE CONSTRUCTION File d Nbv. 29 1945 [M/iMroe:

Patented Oct. 9, 1945 UNITED STATES v PATENT OFFICE 2,386,306 v BASE CONSTRUCTION Robert E. Gardiner, University City, M0., is-

signor to Majestic Manufacturing Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application November 29, 1943, Serial No. 512,267 8 Claims. (01.248-150) The present invention relates to a base construction.

It is an object of the invention to provide a base-supporting construction thatmay be used with any number of different things, such as room heaters and the like, which may be inexpensively fabricated out of sheet metal.

A further object is to provide a base member that may be collapsed when not in use so as to occupy a small space.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a base construction embodying a plurality of leg members formed from sheet metal stampings in a manner to be completely rigid, which leg members are joined together by struts to form an integral base structure. i

A further object is to provide leg members made of stampings with facile means to receive and hold the connecting strut members.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the base construction as it would be shaped for a round device to be supported; a

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the leg members;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of part of a base construction for a rectangular supported device with rounded corners; 1

Fig. 5 is a view of a similar construction for beveled corners.

Referring to Figs. 1-3, there are a plurality of leg members III, II, I2 and I3. These are identical, and the member II is shown in Fig. 3. It consists of a sheet of steel or other like material having a back panel I5 or main body portion that is arcuate in shape. The non-planar shape of the portion I5 increases its strength against compression vertically. The upper part I6 of the main body portion I5 is preferably folded back to reenforce the upper edge, and the lower part I! is similarly turned up to reenforce the bottom edge. In-turned wings I8 and I9 provide further reenforcement and additionally act to prevent the leg members from collapsing inwardly, and to conceal parts of the inner construction. The wings I8 and I9 have their upper edges 20 and 2 I, respectively, terminating below the upper edge of the main portion I5. The edges 20 and 2| may desirably register with the depending edge of the overlapped portion I6. They thus provide seats against which the supported device may rest. 7

Opposite leg members I0 and I2, or II and I3,

are connected by struts. The struts are designated 23 and 24, respectively. Each strut is formed from a strip, and has a turned-down portion 25 extending at right angles downward- 1y from the main portion of the strut. Beyond the portion 25 is a turned-back portion 26, and

an overlapping portion 21. Preferably, the portion 25 is of a length to fit between the depende ing edge of the turned-down element I6 and. the turned-up portion I! of the main leg member. This gives added support and rigidity.

The portion 25 may be welded to the portion l5 of the leg members. The portion 21 may be welded along the main part 24 of the strut.

The two struts are preferably joined at their crossing by a screw or rivet 30, which may be sufficiently loose to' permit folding. One of them will be deflected upwardly over the other. Both may be deflected downwardly, if desired to lower the area of their crossing.

The structure of Fig. 4 is similar except that the members are given a somewhat greater curvature. Otherwise, the construction is identical, to indicate which, the two leg members shown have been indicated as II and. I2, with the cross members as 23 and 24.

In Fig. 5, the leg member 35 is similar to those previously described except for having its middle portion 36 straight and at an angle to the outer portions 31 and 38. This has the advantage that the strut 39 very readily engages against the portion 36 for secure welding.

It will be seen that the construction provides a strong, rigid base device, into'which a device to be supported may be cradled and securely held. It is not essential that the device to be supported fit down on to the top edges 20 and 2 I, although this is desirable. The upper edges of the leg members I5 may constitute the supports. When not in use, as in the case of shipping, the two portions comprising each strut and the two legs attached thereto, may be folded about the pivot 30 to occupy a smaller space.

Owing to the relative cheapness of stampings over other forms of construction, this base member is particularly desirable.

What is claimed is:

1. A base construction including means to engage a floor or the like formed from sheet material including a main body portion, the upper part thereof being folded down to overlap the main portion thereof, the lower part being folded up to overlap the main portion thereof, and strut means secured to said floor engaging means and tion of the main body portion of the leg members,

said strut portion being securely united to said main body portion.

3. A base construction 6 of leg members, said leg members being formed omprisin'g a some 7 of sheet material with a main body portion and end portions turned inwardly relative to said body portion, said end portions having supporting upper edges, the upper part of the main body portion being folded: downwardly to: provide. a double thickness: in the upperpart. of the main body portion, the upper edge of the main body portion being disposed above the upper edges of. the iri-turn'edend parts. thereof, and means connecting said leg members to hold them in spaced relation to receive. apparatus. to be supported.

4.1K base construction comprising aplurality of leg members, said leg members being formed of sheet material with a.- main body portion and end portions turned inwardly relative to said body'portion, said end portionshaving supporting upper edges, the upper part of the main body portion being folded downwardly to provide a double thickness in the upper part of the main body portion, the upper edge oi the. main body portionxbeing, disposed above the upper edgesof the meturned. end parts thereof, the lower part of the main body portion. being folded, upwardly to provide double thickness, the lower edge of thetmainbody portion being in the same plane asthe lower edges. of; the in-turned ends thereof, and means, connecting said leg members. to hold them in spaced relation. to receive" apparatus to be supported.

- 5. A base construction comprising a plurality of leg members-,1 said leg, members being formed of sheet material with; a main body portion and end portions turned inwardly relative to said body portion, said end portions having supporting upper edges, the upper part ofthe main body portion being folded downwardly-t0 provide a double thickness inthe upper part of the main bodyportion, the upper edge of the: main body portion being disposed above theupper edges of the inturned, end; parts thereoi, the. lower part ofthe mam body portion being folded; upwardly to provide: double thickness the lower edge of the main-body portion. beingin the same. plane 'asthe lower edges of the in-turned ends thereof, and means connecting saidleg members to hold them in spaced relation to receive apparatustobe sup.- ported, said. means comprising strips having down-turned ends adaptedto fit against the main body portion between the overlapped parts thereof, and secured thereto.

6. In a base construction, a plurality of leg members, each consisting of a main body portion of sheet material disposed in a substantially vertical plane and being non-planar in horizontal section, an end portion turned inward y from each end of the main body portion, said in-turned end portions having their lower edges adapted to rest upon a door or the like and their upper edges adapted to receive the device to be supported, the main body portion having its upper part turned downwardly to overlap, the lower edge of the overlap substantially coinciding with the plane of the upper edges of the in-turned end portions, the lower part of the main body portion being. turned upwardly to overlap and providing a. bottom edge for the main body portion that coincides'with the bottom edges of the in-turned endportion, strut members joining said leg members,said strut members being of strap-like shape joined at each end to a leg member, each end having a portion turned down. to lie against the main body portion of the leg member between the overlaps thereom. and integrally united with said; main body portion, said straps. beyond said united parts: extending. back upwardly and; along apart of the strapinwardlyfrom the unitedportion andintegrally. united therewith. 1

1. Ina base construction, crossed: struts and a leg member carried. on the outer end of each strut, said struts forming. the sole connection between, the leg; members, and said leg: members each comprising'a main vertically positioned body portion secured to a strut end and provided with Vertically positioned wing portions extending inwardly" at an angle, thereto, said wing portions having lower edges adapted to engage'lthe surface upon which the: base is to rest and, upper edges: terminating at a rdifierentielevation from the main bodyportion Whereby'when a device to be upheld by the base is received thereon asho'ulder'will. be presented for engagement with a part of the device to prevent lateral slippage thereof on the base.

8. a base. construction, crossed struts, a leg member earried on the outer ends of each strut and means for pivotally connecting the. struts together at their crossed portions, said struts iorrning the sole connection between the leg members and permitting the base-to, be reduced in size by swinging the struts on the pivot means so that the leg members will be placed. adjacent each other, said leg. members each comprising a main vertically positioned. body portion secured to a strutend; and provided with vertically positioned portions extendingv inwardly at an angle. thereto; saidwing, portions-'havingtheir lower edges-in the same plane as the lower edge of the body so that all: portions. can rest on a door or like surface and. said wing portions hav- 

